The Three Rs of Summer

Rest, Relax and Recharge

IIM's Cindy Nottage on Student Centered Learning

Cindy Nottage and Virginia Morse are teachers and creators of the Independent Investigation Method (IIM) of Research. They understand the demands on 21st century educators, and believe that student centered learning actually eases some of those demands while elevating the student to an active and engaged learner, taking responsibility for their research with the teacher guiding them along the IIM path.

5 Ways Teachers and Administrators Love Student Centered Learning

 By Cindy Nottage

In the past several years, we’ve witnessed a transformative classroom experience—namely the shift from traditional teaching methods (sometimes described as teacher centered learning) to a student centered learning model. The implications of making this switch are dramatic, and have admittedly been a bumpy ride for educators who have needed to adjust from more of a “broadcasting information out” style classroom to a primarily information sharing environment. However, nearly every teacher and administrator we’ve spoken with is excited about making the switch. Here’s why.

1. Students get excited about learning.


Rather than being assigned projects that commonly initiate eye-rolling responses, students in student centered learning classrooms are challenged to choose their own topics with the guidance of the teacher. The students are infinitely more apt to choose topics that interest them both initially and through the course of the project. This phenomenon of “sustainable interest” sets the stage for deeply rewarding educational experiences that encourage critical thinking and lifelong learning.

2. Collaboration is encouraged.

When a classroom is student centered, it doesn’t mean that each student is simply focused on their own project to the detriment of teamwork. In fact, it’s the opposite. The teacher facilitates learning in pairs or groups, where students can share what they’ve learned and problem solve together. The teacher actively participates in that learning process, guiding students, managing their activities and encouraging new lines of inquiry.

3. Discussions are rich and inclusive.

Most of the teachers we’ve spoken with who have switched to a student centered curriculum report that participation in classroom discussions has gone up, with more students participating. This may be linked to the fact that collaboration is encouraged. One recent example is when students were researching how news reports were created and broadcast daily. Some students readily pitched in as camera operators, whereas others gravitated toward interviewing and editing. This naturally allowed the teacher to ask questions of the camera operators, of the interviewers, the interviewees, etc. 

4. Creativity abounds!

Student centered learning is a launch pad for creativity. As one teacher recently said, “Give a student a subject they are interested in and a blank canvas for presenting what they’ve learned and watch them take off! I’m blown away at the presentations I’ve seen this year!” Because students can choose the presentation format that they prefer—PowerPoint slide shows, videos, research papers, etc.—the quality of presentations goes up. In addition, the enthusiasm for and confidence in presenting the final piece also goes through the roof. Because the ability to comfortably present one’s point of view is so important to excelling in many careers, this is one of the greatest advantages to a student centered curriculum.

5. Parents get excited (and engaged), too!

Enthusiasm is infectious. When parents see their child more interested in learning, it’s easier for them to take a more active role. Many student centered learning teachers and administrators report that parent participation and support goes up and they are more apt to hear comments like, “Wow. I never thought my child would get so excited about school!”

When you add it all up, it sounds like student centered learning is the cure for every challenge our educational system faces. Of course, that isn’t true. However, what we do find is that student centered learning establishes a new foundation for engaging students, teaching critical thinking and creating an environment where working together is encouraged and rewarded. And those are pretty magnificent achievements in and of themselves.

For the ultimate student centered learning experience, explore IIM's Summer Research Challenge! Register for a webinar overview of the program on June 26.

The Governor Loves Libraries

Last month, I was honored to have the opportunity to meet with Governor Maggie Hassan, along with several other members of the N.H. School Library Media Association.  Governor Hassan spoke with us about her belief that libraries and librarians are the center of information access in a democratic society. She also spoke about her father, a former public school history teacher, and the unique role school librarians play in the education of today's students.

When asked, I commented that even our youngest students are learning how important it is to find good, reliable facts in an increasingly information-saturated world. I spoke about how Underhill students know there is more to the Internet than Google, and that evaluating a source is a skill that has become a priority for identifying dependable information.

After our discussion, Governor Hassan signed a Proclamation as follows:

"WHEREAS, libraries are the heart of their communities, campuses and schools;

WHEREAS; librarians work to meet the changing needs of their communities, including providing resources for everyone and bringing services outside of library walls;

WHEREAS, libraries and librarians bring together community members to enrich and shape the community and address local issues;

WHEREAS, librarians are trained, tech-savvy professionals, linking libraries and making resources more easily accessible for library users around the world;

WHEREAS, in a world undergoing constant change, libraries provide enduring connections to the past and future of our communities, nations and civilizations;

WHEREAS, libraries continuously grow and evolve in how they provide for the needs of every member of their communities;

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week. Libraries are part of the American Dream - places for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I Governor Margaret Hassan proclaim Support Your Library Week, April 13-19, 2014.  Communities matter at your library. I encourage all citizens to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available. Visit the library and see why there's something for everyone at your library."

WANTED AD

WANTED:  
One very funny children's book author and illustrator. Must be able to understand the humor of kids ages 5-8 years old. Experience as a recovering second grade teacher preferred. Ability to make kids laugh until they wet their pants a plus. Real learning amidst the humor required.

The right man for this job is...

Marty Kelley came to Underhill School and fulfilled every single qualification (well, I don't think anyone really wet their pants but there were some close calls).

The students roared with laughter, the teachers chuckled (several guffawed), and everyone had one heck of a good time.  In the midst of all that fun, students learned a lot about how to write and illustrate.  Here is what they said (in their own words, although I have corrected the spelling in the interest of comprehension:

"I learned it is okay to start a story in the middle."

"He says he likes to make kids cry but he really makes them laugh."

"You have to keep fixing your writing over and over and over - it's called editing. You get a poster if you know that."

"You can get an idea for a story from going on vacation."

"Marty Kelley ROCKS!"

Yes.  Yes, he does.

Angie says: Let the Librarians Lead

One of our very own, Angie Miller (Library Media Specialist at Inter-Lakes Jr/Sr High School) was asked to write a blog post for Education Week on teacher leadership. She says, "I used the opportunity to promote all that you do in your schools! Thanks for the daily inspiration; so proud to be working among your ranks now!"

Her article begins:  

"When I was in the classroom, I yearned to have a colleague who knew my curriculum and could counsel me in literacy practices and effective and efficient technology integration. A peer who understood adolescent development and would problem solve by my side. One who could talk through the intricacies and complications of guiding students through analytical research. A collaborator and innovator to help push me deeper into my own practice. I was looking for somebody who had superpowers, and she was nowhere to be found.

So I decided to become her myself: I became a librarian."

Read the rest of Angie's article here: Let the Librarians Lead

Libraries vs. Poverty

In the latest issue of Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians, *Steven Krashen criticizes the Common Core.  While I don't necessarily agree with his position, I am glad to know that there are educational experts who are questioning and evaluating this new direction.  His stance posits that the real problem in our schools is an epidemic of poverty.  I found the following conclusions very interesting and worth noting:

Lack of access to books 
There is very clear evidence that children from high-poverty families have very little access to books at home, at school, and in their communities (Newman and Celano, 2001; Duke, 2001; additional studies reviewed in Krashen, 2004). Studies also show when children have access to interesting and comprehensible reading material, they read (Krashen, 2001; 2004). And finally, when children read, they improve in all aspects of literacy, including vocabulary, grammar, spelling, reading and writing ability (McQuillan, 1998; Krashen, 2004). In fact, the evidence is strong that reading for pleasure, self-selected reading, is the major cause of advanced literacy development. Making sure that all children have access to books makes literacy development possible. Without it, literacy development is impossible. 

Libraries 
Libraries are often the only source of books and other reading material for children of poverty and they are a potent source: A number of studies confirm that providing access to books via libraries has a positive impact on reading development: The better the library (more books, presence of a credentialed librarian, better staffing), the higher the reading scores (e.g. Lance and Helgren,

2010) Krashen, 2011). Multivariate studies show that the positive impact of school libraries can be as strong as the negative impact of poverty on reading achievement (Achterman, 2008; Krashen, Lee and McQuillan, 2012): in other words, a good library can offset the effect of poverty on literacy development. 

*Stephen Krashen is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California.  He is a linguist, educational researcher, and activist.  Click here to go to his blog: http://skrashen.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolution

Please feel free to share this with your students' parents.
From:  raisingreaders.org